Gun Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney has become the third centurion of the 2021 Women’s Big Bash League tournament and set up a thumping win for her side in the process.
Opening the batting at the WACA with captain Sophie Devine, Mooney destroyed the Melbourne Renegades‘ bowling attack in an unbeaten knock of 101 from just 63 balls, laying the platform for a 40-run win.
Mooney struck 13 fours in her blistering innings and has joined the Hobart Hurricanes’ Rachel Priest and teammate Devine as the only centurions of this summer’s tournament.
Devine was again exceptional, too, peeling off 72 from just 49 deliveries.
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The Scorchers sailed to 165 before the fall of the first wicket, en route to setting the Renegades 195 to win.
While superstar Sydney Sixers pair Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy still hold the record for highest partnership in WBBL history – an unbeaten 199 against the Melbourne Stars in Perth in 2019 – Mooney and Devine now have two of the three highest partnerships.
And the ace Scorchers duo haven’t left the WACA without breaking a record, having made 63 in the first six overs to set a new powerplay benchmark.
“Magnificent from Mooney,” cricket writer Andrew McGlashan wrote of Mooney’s century on Twitter.
Cricket reporter Carly Adno added: “Is there a better WBBL opening pair than Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine? Have really enjoyed covering the WBBL so far this season. Brilliant entertainment”.
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In reply to the Scorchers’ massive total, the Renegades managed just 6-154 from 20 overs.
Scorchers seamer Lilly Mills took 4-25 from three overs.
https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1455796330039709699
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In the earlier WBBL game, Nicole Bolton of the Sixers took a blinder of a catch in her side’s 31-run victory over the Hurricanes at the WACA.
Diving to her left at midwicket, Bolton pulled off an exceptional catch to remove Hobart’s Rachel Priest.
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